ASBESTOS – Do you know the risk?

Most dwelling’s built before the mid 1980’s in Australia contain some form of asbestos.


It is generally accepted there is no significant risk if the material is left undisturbed and is sealed.


Scraping and sanding peeling paint from eave lining made from asbestos sheeting causes airborne asbestos fibres which puts all our health at risk


OH&S


As a painting company, if we allow our painters to be exposed to asbestos we are liable. As a strata manager or Body Corporate, could you also be liable?




Asbestos Awareness Fact Sheet


There are 3 main groups of asbestos


1. Serpentine – white asbestos (most common)


2. Amphibole - Brown asbestos (used for its additional strength)


3. Crocidolite – Blue asbestos (resists acid)


These were used in the production of cloth tapes, ropes, gaskets and vinyl tiles. To make insulation and fire rated doors rubbers to name a few.


In the 1960's and 70's loose fibre asbestos was used in some parts of NSW as home roof insulation.


Where it affects painters is mainly in cement sheeting such as; eves, panelled balcony railings and wall sheeting.


The effects on health are that the fibre bundle, as it is disturbed, progressively becomes finer. The small microscopic fibres are the most dangerous, when inhaled as they penetrate the deepest part of the lungs.


It is also a legal requirement of the OH&S regulation clause 169170 to keep a record of any exposure to asbestos and provide a statement on the termination of employment.


Asbestos cannot be cut, sanded or water blasted. Encapsulation is the only method. Encapsulation by putting cladding over asbestos may cause problems in the future and if done must be clearly labelled for future work to the building.


There are products available to encapsulate asbestos such as Cromolyn Fibro seal.






How can asbestos affect my health?


Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibres inhaled and the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibres is also greater if you smoke. People who get health problems from inhaling asbestos have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years and in some cases up to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

When does asbestos pose a risk to health?



Asbestos fibres can pose a risk to health if airborne, as inhalation is the main way that asbestos enters the body. Small quantities of asbestos fibres are present in the air at all times, and are being breathed by everyone without any ill effects. Most people are exposed to very small amounts of asbestos as they go about their daily lives and do not develop asbestos-related health problems. Finding that your home or workplace is made from fibro products does not mean your health is at risk. Studies have shown that these products, if in sound condition and left undisturbed, are not a significant health risk. If the asbestos fibres remain firmly bound in cement, generally you do not need to remove the fibro.


People who have suffered health effects from exposure to asbestos have generally worked in either the asbestos mining or milling industry, worked in industries involved in making or installing asbestos products, or are from the immediate families of these people. In all of these situations there was exposure to high levels of airborne dust, from either the processes involved or from the clothes of the workers.


Different forms of asbestos material, different risk levels


If asbestos fibres are in a stable material such as bonded in asbestos-cement sheeting such as fibro and in good condition they pose little health risk. However where fibro or other bonded asbestos sheeting is broken, damaged or mishandled fibres can become loose and airborne posing a risk to health. Disturbing or removing it unsafely can create a hazard.


Asbestos removal


From January 1 2008, removal of loose/friable asbestos or amounts of bonded asbestos sheeting greater than 10 square metres must be undertaken by a WorkCover NSW licensed person. For advice on removal, disposal, and transport of asbestos waste materials in NSW contact WorkCover NSW on 13 10 50.



Precautions


Do not disturb soil or any other material thought to be contaminated with asbestos fibres. Short-term precautions to minimise exposure include:


• Low Pressure Spraying with water to prevent soil/dust from becoming airborne, being careful around electrical fittings.


• Covering with plastic sheeting or a tarpaulin if possible to avoid exposure to the weather.


• Preventing access by children, and/or pets.


• Cover children's toys.


• Using non abrasive wet cleanup procedures used rather than dry sweeping or vacuuming.


• Where loose fibre asbestos insulation may have been installed do not enter the roof space & restrict access to the roof cavity through the man-hole and vents.


If you must enter areas of your home thought to be contaminated with dust containing asbestos fibres use the appropriate Australian Standards (AS) approved respirator or dust mask recommended for the job (see manufacturer's recommendation).